Since the late 1970's incisional refractive surgery (RK) has treated nearsightedness and astigmatism in patients all over the world. Now refractive surgery is experiencing the dawning of a new era with the advent of the excimer laser. For nearly 25% of the population, excimer Laser in-Situ Keratomileusis, or LASIK, could represent the first step towards less dependence on corrective lenses. LASIK is a surgical procedure used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, reducing or eliminating a patient's dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses.

To perform LASIK, Dr. Bergstrom creates a thin surface flap by using a microkeratome on the cornea. This exposes deeper tissue layers, which are then treated with the highly precise, computer guided Excimer laser. Once this process is completed, Dr. Bergstrom carefully replaces the corneal surface flap to protect the eye. How successful is the procedure? The vast majority of people who undergo LASIK are able to pass a drivers' license test without their glasses or contacts. Since LASIK can be used to treat very high levels of refractive error, it is sometimes necessary to fine tune the initial procedure with additional refractive procedures to obtain the best final result.

Patients who receive LASIK from Dr. Bergstrom have extrodinary outcomes. These results are highlighted in the graph below.

Visian ICL

What is Visian ICL?

The Visian ICL is a phakic intraocular lens (IOL) used during refractive surgery for correcting myopia. Unlike IOLs that are used during cataract surgery, the Visian ICL does not replace the eye's natural lens. Instead, the ICL is placed between the iris and the natural lens. Because the phakic IOL does not replace the lens, but supplements it like a prescription contact lens, it is sometimes referred to as an implantable contact lens. The Visian ICL gives another option for treating myopia. Now, patients who are seeking the latest approved procedures for vision correction or who want to avoid the permanence of laser vision correction have another choice for correction of nearsightedness.

What Makes the Visian ICL Different?

Although the Visian ICL is often informally defined as an " implantable contact lens," in the United States, the "ICL" in the Visian ICL stands for "implantable Collamer lens." This designation acknowledges the unique material that comprises the lens.

Unique Lens Composition

Unlike other phakic IOLs the Visian ICL is made from Collamer, a unique, organic lens material, designed especially for the Visian lens. This proprietary lens material has greater biocompatibility than acrylic and silicone lenses 1. The Visian ICL is also foldable, requiring a smaller incision during the surgical procedure than other available lenses.

Safe, Proven Procedure

The safety and effectiveness of the Visian ICL implantation procedure has been proven with over 55,000 implants worldwide as well as recent U.S. FDA approval. Unlike corneal refractive surgery, the Visian ICL does not permanently alter the structure of the eye. Instead, the phakic IOL is placed in the eye's posterior chamber, where it works with the natural lens to correct vision.

Small Incision

Unlike other phakic IOLs, the Visian ICL is foldable. This feature allows physicians to implant the lens using a smaller incision. The small incision procedure is a technique that is familiar to eye surgeons. The Visian ICL requires a 2.8mm to 3.0mm incision as opposed to the 6.0mm incision required by other FDA-approved phakic IOLs. This smaller incision is seen as less invasive, does not require sutures, and is astigmatically neutral.

Removable, if Necessary

The Visian ICL is meant to stay in the eye indefinitely. However, if overcorrection or undercorrection occurs, a complication develops, or a patient's vision changes, the Visian ICL can be removed or exchanged by a trained ophthalmic surgeon.

CustomVue

What is CustomVue?

The new CustomVue procedure takes LASIK to a new, personalized level. Using WaveScan technology, a unique map of your eye is created, like a fingerprint. The custom information is transfered directly from the WaveScan to the VISX Laser and works gently by reshaping the cornea with the cool beam from the laser to remove microscopic amounts of tissue, creating a new curvature of the eye. Using VISX's 3D ActiveTrak, the laser automatically tracks tiny motions of the eye in all three directions during the procedure. This adds a new level of precision, comfort and safety to the laser procedure.The procedure typically takes seconds and a majority of patients feel no discomfort. Many notice immediate results after CustomVue and vision continues to improve over several days. Routine follow-up visits complete the CustomVue process.

Proven Benefits of CustomVue

- Improved overally quality of vision

- Improved night vision

- Unique, custom LASIK for the individual

- According to the FDA, 98% of CustomVue treated eyes achieved 20/20 vision or better!

LASEK combines certain elements of both the PRK and LASIK procedures and may offer some advantages for patients. Instead of removing the epithelium, as with PRK, a flap of surface epithelium is loosened with a diluted alcohol solution and moved aside. The surface under the epithelium is treated with the laser and Dr. Bergstrom returns the epithelial flap to its original position, as with LASIK. He then places a soft contact lens over the cornea to make the eye more comfortable while it heals.

Using the epithelium flap as a natural protective bandage with LASEK, as opposed to completely removing the epithelium as with PRK, may improve healing, reduce postoperative discomfort and the incidence of postoperative haze. The margin of safety with LASEK is increased over LASIK as the need for a microkeratome is eliminated. Dr. Bergstrom has been performing LASEK over the last 2 years.

Epi-LASIK is a laser vision correction technique that combines the advantages of PRK and LASIK and eliminates most of their disadvantages. The epikeratome laser-assisted keratomileusis procedure, (Epi-LASIK) uses a unique epikeratome to mechanically separate the epithelium to make a flap. Unlike LASIK, no sharp blades or knives are required.

• Faster healing and less pain
• Less flap complications
• No cutting
• Less dryness experienced
• Patients can freely rub their eyes

What is PRK?